After 23 years of the US Open being the largest Snowboarding event in the world, the Australian Open has been added to the list. The event will now appear alongside the other Burton Open events: the US Open, Nippon Open, European Open and New Zealand Open.

"At long last we finally have a local event that compares on a world scale, with the prize money to match. I am amped for the contest" says Australian Burton Team member Chris Boadle.

The Garnier Fructis Australian Open qualifiers will take place at Falls Creek, VIC on the 27th and 28th of August with cash and prizes up for grabs, along with the chance for the top 8 to qualify through to the semi-finals of the main event the following week at Perisher Blue.

Across the weekend of 3rd and 4th of September at Perisher Blue, NSW, Australia's best Half Pipe and Slope Style riders will compete alongside the world's best, with members of the elite Burton team and other American, European and New Zealand competitors.

"I'm glad to see Burton stepping up and getting an Oz Open going. I think the riders in Australia will be super stoked to have such a great part of snowboard history come to their country," quotes Burton International star, Dave Downing.
Garnier Fructis are proud to be the official Sponsor of the Garnier Fructis Australian Open 2005 Snowboarding Championships presented by Burton Snowboards.